Calochortus amabilis
Diogenes' lantern, Diogenes' Lantern
(c) Arvel Hernandez, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Calochortus amabilis (Diogenes' lantern) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by yellow color and brown-spotted back distinguish from similar nodding species.
Diogenes' lantern is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and northwestern San Francisco Bay area in shady and open woodland and scrub at elevations of 100 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces deep yellow flowers with distinctive brown spots, nodding in spheric perianths that remain closed or with petals crossing at the tip. Growing 10 to 50 centimeters tall with generally branched stems, it develops both basal leaves up to 50 centimeters long and smaller cauline leaves. Its leaves range from lanceolate to linear, with lower leaves persisting throughout the season and upper leaves shorter and narrower. The fruit is a distinctive nodding, winged, oblong structure 20 to 30 millimeters long, containing irregular dark brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; yellow color and brown-spotted back distinguish from similar nodding species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Shady or open woodland, scrub
Elevation: 100-1000 m
California counties: Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Santa Clara, Trinity, Solano, Yolo, Colusa, Tehama, Humboldt, Marin, Contra Costa, Glenn, Stanislaus, Alameda, Butte
Bloom period
Calochortus amabilis blooms Apr-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Clarkia: Calochortus has 6 stamens and grass-like leaves; Clarkia has 8 stamens and broad stem leaves.; vs Fritillaria: Calochortus flowers open upward/outward in cups; Fritillaria flowers hang downward like bells.; vs Thismia: Calochortus has green leaves and open flowers; Thismia is leafless with closed tubular flowers.; vs Eschscholzia: Calochortus has 6 petals and parallel-veined leaves; Eschscholzia has 4 petals and divided leaves.; vs Sidalcea: Calochortus has 6 petals and grass-like leaves; Sidalcea has 5 petals and rounded lobed leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calochortus amabilis native to California?
Yes. Calochortus amabilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus amabilis bloom?
Calochortus amabilis blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Calochortus amabilis grow?
Calochortus amabilis occurs in Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Santa Clara, Trinity, Solano, Yolo and other counties, at elevations of 100-1000 m.
What plant family does Calochortus amabilis belong to?
Calochortus amabilis is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
What habitat does Calochortus amabilis grow in?
Calochortus amabilis grows in Common. Shady or open woodland, scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.